Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Hi Everyone. . . .
Just popping in to let you know I'm taking a short break from the blog this week. . . .Been on the road for several days, and now that we're back home, there's lots to catch up on. . . .Hurricane Isaac is a possible threat to us, with wind and rain, so we're removing anything that might fly around outside. . . .We will know more in the next 24 hours. . . .There's a strong probability that even if we aren't in it's path, we'll have no internet service toward the end of the week to keep you posted. . . .

But, I do have a lot to show and tell. . . .We just moved in the last keeping room cabinet. . . .I'm tweaking the other three cabinets. . . .We'll be "checker-boarding" the floor this week--if Isaac doesn't cause us any problems. . . .I've been playing around in the kitchen with some vignettes. . . .The second part of the pumpkin butter tutorial is coming. . . .Our apples are ready for picking and canning. . . .We'll be decorating for fall. . . .And, we're working on a jelly cabinet tutorial for you. . . .Wheeeeeeeee. . . .

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

One room, with bed, in three story condo complex. A little shabby in places, but big and roomy. Will make a nice, warm place for those cold winter nights. Straw is provided. No pets or cats allowed...Call 870-birdhse

Okay. . . .We're having a little fun here at the farm this week. . . .
It can't be all work and no play, right?

I've had this shabby bird condo in mind for over three years now, but it seems there's been other things higher on the list. . . .And, I had to convince the inside-the-box guy that two large ammo cases would work for a birdhouse. . . .

As many of you know, I've been on a quest this summer to clean out and organize storage buildings and barns, as well as the house. When I found these ammo cases stored in the farm shop this week, I thought, "What better way to clean out than to finish a project that's been put off for years?"

So, I did ask the inside-the-box guy (John) for his help. . . I knew this was one project I could not do alone. . . .He graciously accepted the challenge, although he still didn't see how it would work. . . .

For Do-It-Yourselfers, here's what we did:

Believe it or not, I bought the ammo cases for $5.50 each--about 3 years ago. . . .

For this project, we used two. . . .

The two were laid together on saw horses, with the doors opening on the sides. . . .

And were nailed together on the inside. . . .

A piece of scrap wood was centered and attached
on the outside for the porch. . . .

We found this baby bed in the trash a few years ago. . . .
perfect for the porch supports. . . .
and helps with the clean out, too. . . .

It's not a bird condo without holes. . . .

Wood from a palette was used for the porch roof. . . .

It was supported with more scrap wood. . . .

We used the cut off ends from the porch spindles for the two top condo perches. . . .

Driftwood, collected at the Mississippi River, was attached for the lower perches. . . .

shelves should be inserted and nailed for the individual "rooms". . . .

I wanted outdoor storage, so we didn't add shelves to this one. . . .

To bring it all together, I whitewashed the entire condo with latex paint and water, but leaving the porch floor, the porch roof, and the condo roof their weathered gray. . .It was at this point that John admitted, "Hey, that looks good!"

Friday, August 17, 2012

Two of my great loves in life are collecting vintage clothing and vintage patterns. Throw in old feed sacks and a few sugar and flour sacks,

and I'm totally content with the world. . . .

I read somewhere that feed sacks are a bygone recyclable--
or are they?

They are showing up in an awful lot of antique malls, yard sales, online shopping, and thrift stores. . . .Just a few years ago, I could buy a good printed feed sack for a dollar or two. Not anymore. Every time I see one for sale these days, it's $12-$20. . . .I'm so glad I have a good supply hoarded---uh--stored away. . .

Most collectors think that printed feed sacks came about during the Great Depression, but they were actually introduced in the last half of the 19th century. . . .Yet, it is true that their greatest appeal was in the 1930s-40s, when housewives realized they had a ready source of "free" fabric for use in their homes. . . .

Many free booklets were once available to home sewers, such as "Needle Magic above," They were full of ideas and instructions on how to make various garments. They also listed the number of feed sacks you'd need for each pattern. For example, it took 3 one hundred pound feed sacks to make a woman's dress. . . .Can you imagine how much feed that was? But, in that day and time, with so many animals around, I'm sure the sacks accumulated quickly. One source I read estimated that by 1942, over 3 million American women and children were dressed in garments made from printed feed sacks. That's a lot of sacks. . . .

I found these two feed sack blouses in Tennesse, just as you see them here. . . .They were crisp and ready to wear, having been washed, starched, and ironed. . . .

The first one is my favorite, with it's double breasted closure and the tie in back to help cinch in the waistline. . . .

The buttons are vintage plastic, which makes me think this blouse was stitched in the 1940s, or maybe a little later. . . .

Look how cute it is in the back. . . .

The second blouse has true farm style, sewn sometime in the 1930s or early 40s. . . . I like the buttons--they appear to be bakelite? or some material that isn't plastic as we know it.

A tie in the back makes the waist look smaller. . . I like that. . .

I pretty well knew I'd buy these two feed sack classics when I first laid eyes on them. . . .If there was ever any doubt, it vanished after I tried them on and they fit me. . . .I plan to wear them when we entertain guests in 1930s style. . . .

My collection keeps on growing. . .
I have several everyday work dresses, but these are my first feed sack blouses. . . .In such a pristine state, they are quite a find. . . .

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Our re-purposed ammo box table was featured last week in the post A Typical Day.

Since then, I have received many inquiries from Do-It-Yourself-ers, asking for instructions on our project. So, I thought I'd share the rustic table-bench with you in a tutorial.

I've already found many uses for it--as a garden table for potted plants, as a side table in our "gazebo", and as a sturdy bench to sit on while gardening or crafting. I hide my garden tools in the box. And, it's very easy to move around with the rope handles.

Useful and handy. . .I love those words. . . .

You'll need a small ammo box. Actually, any box would do.

We've seen these ammo boxes at yard sales and flea markets for less than $5.

You'll also need the two outside 2 x 4's from a palette. . . .

Measure the center section of the 2 x 4. . . .

And, draw a line at the center point. . . .

Saw the board into two pieces on the line. . . .

Take a file, or sandpaper, and smooth off the cut edges. . . .

Do the same on the second 2 x 4. . . .

Now, you have four potential legs. . . .

Draw a cutting line on the first leg,

measuring from the top to the desired length. . . .

Cut the one leg. . . .

Mark the remaining three legs with the first one. . . .

Make sure all are the same length once they are cut. . . .

Decide where you want the legs to be placed and mark. . . .

Make sure the lid will open and clear the legs. . . .

Use nails or screws and attach the legs to the box. . . .

Your rustic table bench is finished. . . .

Unless you decide to paint it. . . .

I decided to leave mine without paint and let it weather to gray. . . .

I love projects that are easy and simple and can be completed quickly. . . .